On Friday, while she was in Iowa campaigning for her husband, Ann Romney talked about personal stories and struggles with a few dozen women at the Women for Mitt event at a home in West Des Moines.

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"I like to talk about the other side of Mitt that you never hear about," Ann Romney said.

She said Mitt Romney may be the former governor of Massachusetts and a candidate in the running for president, but she knows him as a grandfather of 16, a father of five and a husband of 42 years.

Ann Romney also talked about the secret is to their long-lasting marriage.

"I think it's passion. I think it's caring about each other and doing the little things," Ann Romney said. "The other day, he wrote me this sweet little love letter. (He) left it on the counter for me when I came home. You know those kinds of things are the kinds of little things that just make all the difference in the world."

Ann Romney said they are each other's hero. She said her husband is the one who got her through the most difficult time in her life. In 1998, Ann Romney said she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She said excruciating years of pain followed after that diagnosis.

"I got into a real spiraling depression, and I was very overcome by just a lot of feelings of worthlessness, really," Ann Romney said. "It was Mitt that got myself out of that hole. I am so grateful to him for standing by me in my darkest hour."

She said she tells this personal story because she wants it to help people understand her husband and why he would be a good president.

"He's there. He's steadfast. You can count on him. He won't abandon you in the hardest time. I think you can apply that to how he will be as a president, as well," Ann Romney said.